NaNoWriMo – Week One

So, as you can see, it’s not been the greatest start to my latest NaNoWriMo attempt but there is a reason. I’m not using it as an excuse but I’ve had to reshuffle my priorities (why always November, why?!) and because I’m not selfish – I’m going to share a great opportunity with you.

Another competition

Yup, you read right. I’ve come across another competition. I know a lot of people who don’t talk about their writing, their plans or ambitions to other people who aren’t writers and I honestly don’t get it. Writers are great for proof reading but they will ALWAYS have suggestions, criticisms even if the piece is as good as you can make it. Why? It’s what we’re (self or not) trained to do. Other people are readers and provide another vital view to what you do.

A friend of mine saw this competition on TV and instantly told me. I’d never have found it otherwise and I’m incredibly grateful to her for that – and a lot more things too! It might not come to anything but these are the opportunities I have to try for.

The competition is here, courtesy of ITV and This Morning, and it’s looking for an opening to a novel that hasn’t been published before. The judges are looking for the ‘next big thing’ and while I’m not saying I am that thing, anyone who has an idea and the dedication to write it should be entering – and that means you!

I shouldn’t share this, really – I don’t want the extra competition with you all – but I think this kind of opportunity is so rare that we all need to give it our best shot. If you win, don’t forget about lil’ old me, will ya?

Choosing what to submit

Here’s my dilemma; I have two options. The novel I wrote back in 2010 in my only successful NaNoWriMo attempt or another one, which still has a fair chunk written, but both need serious work. They’re a few years old and the ideas that I need to develop haven’t been started yet but this opportunity has given me a kick up the backside and could be exactly what I need.

I’m going to do a more detailed post on this in December but I have to write a synopsis of the broader story to go with the intro and honestly, I think that’s harder than writing the story! It’s something I’ve never been taught (any creative writing tutors/lecturers reading this, teach your writers how to do this! It’ll be so helpful) but the internet and fellow writers have helped me out. It’s probably not perfect but I still have time to tinker with it.

Back to NaNo

I’m not sure I can hit 50,000 in half a month but I’m certainly going to try! Anything I get will be an achievement, certainly, but it’s definitely going to be an interesting couple of weeks leading up to December. Wish me luck, guys!